IQ

1 of 2

noun

1
: a number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person: such as
a
: a score determined by one's performance on a standardized intelligence test relative to the average performance of others of the same age
b
: the ratio of the mental age (as reported on a standardized test) to the chronological age multiplied by 100
2
: proficiency in or knowledge of a specified subject
nobody questioned his hockey IQ

iq

2 of 2

abbreviation

the same as

Examples of IQ in a Sentence

Noun They wanted me to take an IQ test. he has a movie IQ that is off the charts
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
At the time, the company was known as Inhabit IQ but rebranded to just Inhabit in January. Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2023 Best Shark Vacuum Deals at Walmart Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL Vacuum with Self-Empty Base, $249 (orig. Bridget Degnan, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023 Now, the company has announced a $19 million series A investment led by Buckley Ventures with participation from Wing VC and IQ Capital. Alex Knapp, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 Shark Cordless Pro Stick Vacuum Cleaner with Clean Sense IQ, $198 (orig. Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023 And so, in the new year, the tastemakers will be giving us food that's healthier and better for the planet; more Mexican and Asian food; and, according to Nielsen IQ's Sherry Frey, more pumpkin spice, which can be found in products throughout the aisles. David Pogue, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2023 By the 2000s ample scientific evidence indicated the arbitrariness of IQ's use as a basis for a dyslexia diagnosis. Sarah Carr, Scientific American, 16 Nov. 2023 The Pioneer Woman Brilliant Blooms 20-Piece Blue Bake & Prep Set, $20 Shark Cordless Pro Stick Vacuum Cleaner with Clean Sense IQ, $198 (orig. Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023 Federal officials say there is no safe level of lead for children, and even small amounts can reduce IQ scores. Michael Phillis and Mike Stobbe The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'IQ.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

intelligence quotient

Abbreviation

Latin idem quod

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of IQ was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near IQ

Cite this Entry

“IQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IQ. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.

Kids Definition

IQ

noun
: a number that is often used as a measure of a person's intelligence and is found by dividing the mental age of the person as given by a score on a special test by the age in years and multiplying by 100
Etymology

Noun

intelligence quotient

Medical Definition

IQ

noun
: a number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person based on the results of standardized testing: as
a
: the ratio of the mental age (as reported on a standardized test) to the chronological age multiplied by 100
b
: a score determined by one's performance on a standardized intelligence test relative to the average performance of others of the same age
Etymology

Noun

intelligence quotient

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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